What Is Child-on-Child Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment?

In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 Part 5, child-on-child abuse refers to any situation where a child or young person is harmed, or at risk of harm, by another child. This includes sexual violence—such as rape, assault by penetration, and sexual assault—as defined in the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and sexual harassment, which includes unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. Examples include sexual comments, sexual jokes, inappropriate touching, unwanted verbal or physical behaviour, upskirting, online sexual harassment, sharing of sexual images, or pressuring others into sexual activity. KCSIE emphasises that such behaviours can occur online or offline, be single incidents or ongoing, and can occur between any children, regardless of gender.

How the School Responds to Concerns:

Our response to child-on-child sexual violence and harassment follows the procedures set out in KCSIE 2025 Part 5, ensuring that all concerns are taken seriously, dealt with promptly, and handled sensitively.

When a concern or disclosure is made:

1. Immediate Safeguarding Measures: A member of staff listens carefully, reassures the child, and ensures they feel safe. Staff never judge, downplay, or dismiss what is shared.

2. Reporting to the DSL: All concerns are passed immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who assesses the level of risk and decides next steps. KCSIE requires DSLs to consider the wishes of the victim, the nature of the incident, power dynamics, ages and developmental stages of the children involved, and any wider safeguarding concerns.

3. Risk Assessment: The DSL conducts a written risk assessment, determining whether actions such as separating pupils, supervision adjustments, or support interventions are required to ensure the safety of all children involved.

4. Engagement with External Agencies: Where appropriate, the DSL makes referrals to Children’s Social Care, MASH, or the Police, as outlined in statutory guidance. The school works collaboratively with these agencies to ensure robust safeguarding action.

5. Support for All Pupils: Both the child harmed and the child who has caused harm receive pastoral support in line with KCSIE requirements. This may include emotional support, counselling, Early Help, or other targeted interventions.

6. Follow-Up, Review and Monitoring: Risk assessments and support plans are reviewed regularly to ensure ongoing safety and wellbeing. Throughout the process, confidentiality is respected, information is shared only on a strictly need-to-know basis, and all actions are thoroughly recorded as required by statutory guidance.

How Children Can Report Concerns:

We are committed to ensuring that pupils always feel safe to speak up about anything that worries them. In line with KCSIE expectations that children must be able to report concerns through multiple routes, we make this possible in several ways:

Talking to any trusted adult—including teachers, support staff, or the DSL team. - Using the school’s Worry Box or Worry Monster, which allows children to write down concerns if they feel unsure about speaking aloud. - Requesting a private conversation with a member of the safeguarding team.

Sharing concerns through online safety lessons, circle times and PSHE/RSE discussions, where pupils are reminded of how to seek help.

Parents and carers can also contact the DSL if a child reports something at home.

Children are continuously taught—through PSHE, RSE and online safety sessions—that sexual harassment, unwanted behaviour, and inappropriate touching are never acceptable and that the responsibility always lies with the child who has caused harm, never with the victim.